Merisant Co. responds to sweetener story

Merisant makes Equal

Paul R. Block, president and CEO of Merisant Co., which manufactures Equal, responds to WBAL-TV's request for comment.

"Consumers should be educated about the foods they consume. The safety of aspartame is supported by overwhelming scientific evidence. Aspartame sweetened products offer consumers a low-calorie alternative which is an invaluable social benefit as we face a staggering increases in both obesity and diabetes. Promoting an unsubstantiated hunch that aspartame is unsafe based on two studies that have been rejected by the scientific community is not science and is not in the best interests of public health."